HISTORY
On October 11, 1889, forty delegates from twenty-three local unions met in Washington, D.C. and founded the United Association of Journeymen Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steam Fitters and Steam Fitters Helpers of the United States and Canada. One year later the U.A. had forty-one local unions.
Fourteen years later, the first U.A. local union in New Brunswick was Local Union 427 in Saint John. The exact date of the charter is not known but it first appeared in the roll call in July 1903. The life of the union was short as the last time Local 427 appeared in the roll call was May 1904. The reason for this decline or the name of officers is not known.
Seven years later in April 1911 the United Association Journal indicates that Local 531 was chartered in March 1911 to Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steam Fitters and Steam Fitter Helpers. It is unclear when the charter was revoked due to no official documentation on file; however, the last Roll Call appearance was in December of 1921.
In 1937, six plumbers and four steam fitters applied for a charter for a United Association Local Union. Application was made in September 1937, and the charter was issued in October 1937 and Local 213 was established. Some of the Charter members were veterans of the previous local unions in the city and they were determined to make Local 213 last. From that early beginning Local 213 has grown to a membership of 979 of which 109 are apprentices. Local 213 jurisdictions cover the counties of Kings, Queens, Charlotte and Saint John in the Province of New Brunswick.
The fight for these members was for the eight-hour workday and five-day week. Both battles were eventually won. Today 87 years later, the fight still continues to improve the conditions for our members.
